First Impressions / STAR DRIVER

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 12

「ガラス越しのキス」 (Garasu-goshi no Kisu)
“Kiss Beyond the Glass”

Whether you like Kanako’s promiscuous personality or not, it’s hard to deny how she spices things up by teasing Takuto about kissing her through the glass. Judging by her behavior, it has no bearing on the brigade’s plans to take their Cybodies to the fifth phase and out of Zero Time either. Instead, it’s just her way of enjoying her high school life, which works for me since this series is intended to be as much about school life as it is Cybodies.

Bakuman. / First Impressions

Bakuman. – 12

「御馳走と卒業」 (Gochisou to Sotsugyou)
“Feast and Graduation”

While Bakuman still seems to be following one to one and a half chapters per episode, it feels like things are finally beginning to speed up. Putting the manga things aside, I really enjoyed how this episode focused on the relationship between Mashiro and Azuki. With Kaya in the picture, it was nice to see a normal girl’s perspective on the matter.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / MM!

MM! – 12 (END)

「クリスマスの願いごと」 (Kurisumasu no Negaigoto)
“Christmas Wish”

I can’t say I’m too surprised that the finale focused almost entirely around Mio, but I feel a bit cheated by the way they slipped in a completely unexpected development and made me sympathetic towards her sadistic character. Mio isn’t as nearly an unbalanced tsundere as Taketatsu Ayana’s other lead role this season either, so I even got a bit teary-eyed when I saw her crying.

First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 11

「刺突抗剣（スタブソード）」 (Shitotsu Kouken (Sutabu Soodo))
“Thrusting Anti-Sword (Stab Sword)”

After punching so many girls in the face lately, Touma finally gets a taste of his own medicine care of one pissed off Misaka Mikoto. Next to Tsuchimikado’s scuffle with Oriana, that ended up being one of the highlights of this episode too. The rest of it bounced back and forth between Touma and Stiyl’s pursuit and Himegami’s talks with Komoe, both of which didn’t really result in anything.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Sora no Otoshimono

Sora no Otoshimono Forte – 12 (END)

“You may now kiss the bride.”

「明日に羽飛く彼女達（フォルテ）」 (Asu ni Hapataku Kanajo-tachi (Forute))
“The Girls (Forte) Flapping Their Wings in the Morning”

After the climactic battle with Chaos last time, all I was really expecting in this finale was a lighthearted epilogue of sorts. While that’s pretty much what we got, this last episode surprised me by slipping in the big question at the very end: Which girl would Tomoki marry?

Amagami SS / First Impressions

Amagami SS – 24

「絢辻詞編 最終章 ヤクソク」 (Ayatsuji Tsukasa-hen Saishuushou – Yakusoku)
“Ayatsuji Tsukasa Final Chapter – Promise”

Well it looks like my hunch last episode about Tsukasa’s drastic change in personality was pretty spot on, as Junichi’s unsettling feeling about it brings back the girl she truly is. Looking back, it probably wouldn’t be wrong to consider the good girl persona as another act, except it’s difficult to see it as just that when Tsukasa had every intention of making that personality the new her.